what is urbanization in geography

Urbanization is the process through which cities grow, and higher and higher percentages of the population come to live in the city. It refers to the population shift from rural to urban areas, the corresponding decrease in the proportion of people living in rural areas, and the ways in which societies adapt to this change. Urban areas are defined by dense populations, the construction of multiple and often large buildings, monuments and other structures, and greater economic dependence on trade rather than agriculture or fishing. Urbanization has been closely linked to globalization, modernization, industrialization, and the sociological process of rationalization. The phenomenon is relevant to a range of disciplines, including urban planning, geography, sociology, architecture, economics, education, statistics, and public health. The modifications humans make to their surroundings in order to urbanize can impact the environment in negative ways, such as pollution, disruption of water flow, deforestation, and desertification.